MINUTES FROM THE VIRTUAL REGULAR PORT COMMISSION MEETING
OF THE PORT OF HOODSPORT COMMISSION
December 9, 2020 Call to Order: 9:00am Adjourned: 10:10am
Meeting Held at: Via Zoom Conference Call
Roll Call: Commissioner Brazil – Chair, Commissioner Booth
Staff Present: K. Wyatt, Administrative Director, B. Osborne – Director of Maintenance, S. Lindgren – Maintenance
Public: Mike & Geri Purvis – Hood Canal Grocery
Lori Kincannon – Hoodsport resident
Jann Goodpastor – Hoodsport resident
Heidi McCutchen – Mason Chamber of Commerce
Jan Morris – Hardware Distillery
Cody Morris – Hoodsport resident
Mark Woytowich – Hoodsport resident, journalist
Margaret Motl – M4 Real Estate Group
Approval of Agenda: Commissioner Brazil made a motion to approve the agenda as written; Commissioner Booth seconded; unanimously approved.
Minutes: Commissioner Brazil made a motion to approve the regular port commission minutes from November 11, 2020, Commissioner Booth seconded, unanimously approved.
Vouchers: Approval of Voucher November 1of 1 11-25-2020 in the amount of $25,439.92
Public Communication: M Purvis said basically because of the push and pull from all directions, we would like to put in a drain field that takes up all of the drain field land to make improvements at our cost and lease it back to the port at a fair price to see the public restrooms going again. The big question is, does the port want to have the public restrooms, they are a lot of work, are awfully expensive and may not be within the ports budget. The port needs to make that decision. We can do this project for less because we don’t have the restraints that you have, I can hire anyone to do it. Commissioner Brazil said the port has gone to all of the government entities with requests to take over public restrooms, because the port cannot afford to maintain it. M Purvis said the second option is the last-ditch option, it the port doesn’t want it, we would take it over and form an organization like, ‘friends of the public restrooms’ and make it succeed in one way or the other. The last option is the port gets rid of the building. Its obvious it does not fit into your budget. Commissioner Brazil said, thank you for your very generous offer. H McCutchen, I want to rephrase, the ports question should be, ‘do the constituents want the public restrooms’, you should let the constituents vote on whether they want the public restrooms. J. Morris and I sat down with Mindy at the Salmon Center who said there were grants available through the Clean Vessel Act which would attach a pump out to the dock, this needs to be submitted by 2-1-2021. The grant pays 75% up front construction and 75% of maintenance for the restroom facilities and pump out station for 5 years. The Port of Shelton said they are willing to help you with Wa State Parks RCO grant through the WWRP WA Wildlife Recreation Program to help with the dock issues, the major requirement is the grant has to be attached to the water through the pump out station. Jan can send you the links. Jan can write the grants; Mindy can do the leg work. Commissioner Kincannon said, H McCutchen send me the grant links and information in an email so I can review them to see what we need to do especially since the submission date is on 2-1-2021. The port director said make sure the Purvis’ are onboard for this project, as the drain field and public restrooms are situated on their property. M Woytowich said I clearly recognize the importance of the public restrooms as I have noticed an increase in human waste along the trails. I did a lot of work this past year with the national forest people to clean up camps and debris because we had three times the normal number of campers this year due to COVID-19. Human waste is becoming a big part of this picture with a spillover affect if we have to close Lake Cushman again. Gathering people to plan for options to keep the Lake open spills over to our area into the public restrooms in Hoodsport. People come from other areas to our area and the have to use the restrooms. Business owners should not have to direct people to use restrooms. I think it is vital and the constituents are behind you. I imagine it is a good portion of your budget with lots of money going out on maintenance. Mason transit put in indestructible public restrooms; these public restrooms could be retrofit with those fixtures. We are a growing community, people are looking for a way out, we are all adjusting to a new normal. Commissioner Booth asked if all parks are planning to keep public restrooms on the trails. M Woytowich said they closed 7 parks, in 1974 Forest Service had 420 employees, in 2020 they have 62 employees they are now surveying campgrounds to figure out which ones they will keep or get rid of. They are decommissioning fire rings in 2021and are providing videos to educate the public. Party rock is a big focus, they will pave the road and put-up guard rails, stripes, orange cones and yellow tape. They will be rolling out brochures and materials to help campers. They do not want to ticket as a first choice of changing behavior. I also want to thank the Purvis’s for their generous offer. M Purvis said when you do the pamphlets, we would like to have some at the store and outfitters store to distribute to the public. Commissioner Brazil asked the business owners how the crosswalks working for the public. J Morris said from my perspective they are used a lot. On the 18th, I have a meeting with WSDOT to get a pedestrian refuge where pedestrians are standing in a safe spot waiting to cross. We are looking into access of grant money to configure and make a nice safe place to wait. H McCutchen said, thanks to J Morris’ hard work we finally got crosswalks in Hoodsport. Commissioner Kincannon said I have seen signs that say ‘Crosswalks ahead 100feet’. Commissioner Brazil said I have seen big trucks who roar through town going faster than 30mph.
Commissioner Reports Commissioner Brazil said we will be choosing and appointing the Commissioner for Position #2 previously held by Commissioner Petz who resigned on 10-6-2020, the remaining time in this 6 year term for this position is until 2023. We have two extremely qualified candidates. Both Commissioner Booth and I have reviewed the resumes, had conversations with both candidates and discussed in executive session strengths in management skills and experience. Commissioner Booth said, I wished we had two positions because I believe both candidates would be tremendous assets to our Port commission. Commissioner Brazil said I would like to nominate Lori Kincannon to fill the Commissioner position #2, Commissioner Booth seconded, the motion carried. Commissioners Brazil and Booth congratulated Commissioner Lori Kincannon. The port director said I emailed both candidates with the Certificate of Appointment stating the Oath of Office, we can now swear in Commissioner Kincannon. Commissioner Kincannon read the Oath of Office and was sworn in as the 3rd Port of Hoodsport Port Commissioner.
Port Maintenance Reports:
Hoodsport Trail Park & Disc Golf Park: S Lindgren said someone is tearing up the parking lot by doing brodies. I invite the commission to walk the trail park to look at the signs and trails.
Hoodsport Marina, Dock & Waterfront Park: B Osborne said the Kiwanis put up the Christmas décor on the power poles and set up the Christmas tree next to the usual spot because the Japanese maple grew, and the tree couldn’t be set up over it this year. I spoke to the new Fire Chief who said two fire districts have merged and will be settled in by January, they will call two weeks before the fire line inspection on the dock can be done. S. Lindgren said the YSS divers are making a well-worn path and a mud hole from the dive shop to the water at the waterfront park.
Public Restrooms: Currently closed to the public both as directed by Mason County because of a failed drain field and due to the COVID 19 pandemic for health and safety of the public and personnel. An ADA and 2 Portable restrooms with hand washing stations are available for the publics use. Portable restrooms are serviced Monday and Fridays in winter months. They are serviced additionally when needed. Maintenance personnel monitors garbage and supplies additional toilet paper as needed.
Port parking/Office building/Maintenance shed: B. Osborne and S. Lindgren have Security App’s on their phones to monitor live stream surveillance cameras overlooking the public restrooms, office building, shed, parking lot, waterfront park and the dock.
Port Directors Report
A Facility Use Agreement between the Port of Hoodsport and YSS Dive Shop is being reviewed by the port’s attorney. Governor Inslee extended the OPMA guideline to August 1,2020, Mason County opened the county up to Phase III which allows people to gather in groups of 50 or less, wear face masks, and social distance six feet away. Due to the most recent Governors mandate, COVID-19 health and safety compliance signs are posted on all port properties for the public’s information and on the office window. The Port of Hoodsport port commission continues using the ‘Zoom’ virtual chat room venue for regular port commission meetings during the COVID-19 pandemic, the public can request an invite to attend the meetings. Meeting dates are posted on the port’s website, on Mason TV, in the WPPA newsletter and posted on the port office window. Currently, the public may email the port for an invitation to attend the regular port commission meeting. The request must be received by 4pm the day prior to the scheduled meeting.
Budget: October financial statements were reviewed
Old Business: As discussed above New Business: None
Next Meeting: January 13, 2021 to be held via internet in a ZOOM chatroom venue
Adjourn: Commissioner Brazil made a motion to adjourn the Regular Port Commission meeting, Commissioner Booth seconded, it was unanimously approved, meeting adjourned at 10:05 a.m.
2020 Regular Port Commission Meetings are scheduled as follows:
Wednesday’s at 9am January 13th, February 10th 2021
_______________________ _____________________ _________________________
Commissioner Brazil Commissioner Booth Commissioner Kincannon